Remote control transcribing device

Abstract

Apparatus for remotely controlling automatic telephone answering devices or the like to transcribe message information magnetically recorded by the telephone answering apparatus. The apparatus includes an oscillator coupled to an input/output transducer for generating a tone of a predetermined frequency which is coupled via a telephone to the automatic telephone answering apparatus. The tone switches the answering apparatus into a high speed rewind mode wherein the message information is not muted. The message information is recorded in reverse on a magnetic tape in the transcribing apparatus by a tape transport mechanism transporting the tape in a forward direction during a record operation. During playback, the tape transport mechanism transports the tape in the reverse direction so that the reverse recorded message information is played back in an intelligible manner to convey the recorded message information. The transcribing device also includes a tape position indicator for providing a visual indication of the amount of message information transcribed from the automatic telephone answering apparatus as well as a positive indication of the position of the tape relative to the record/playback head of the transcribing device.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Remote control transcribing apparatus for controlling a remotely located tape recorder apparatus and retrieving message information therefrom wherein said tape recorder apparatus is operable in a high speed rewind mode and said transcribing apparatus includes tape transport means for transporting a magnetic recording tape in a forward direction and a reverse direction past a record/playback head, said transcribing apparatus comprising: means for generating a tone of predetermined frequency and selectively applying said tone to said remote tape recorder to switch said remote tape recorder into said high speed rewind mode to play back said message information in reverse;   means for coupling said reverse message information to said record/playback head,   said record/playback head magnetically recording said reverse message information on said tape at high speed in said forward direction;    means for switching said tape transport means to transport said tape in said reverse direction at low speed; and    means coupled to said record/playback head for playing back said reverse message information as said tape is transported in said reverse direction.   
     
     
       2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including visual indicator means coupled to said tape transport means for providing a visual indication of the amount of said message information transcribed and a positive indication of the position of said tape with respect to said record/playback head. 
     
     
       3. Remote control transcribing apparatus for controlling a remotely located tape recorder apparatus and retrieving message information therefrom wherein said tape recorder apparatus is operable in a high speed rewind mode and said transcribing apparatus includes tape transport means for transporting a magnetic recording tape in a forward direction and a reverse direction past a record/playback head, said transcribing apparatus comprising: oscillator means for generating a signal of predetermined frequency;   transducer means coupled to said oscillator means for converting said signal to a corresponding audio tone and for selectively applying said tone to said remote tape recorder to switch said remote tape recorder into said high speed rewind mode to play back said message information in reverse,   said transducer means subsequently coupling said reverse message information to said record/playback head,   said record/playback head magnetically recording said reverse message information on said tape at high speed in said forward direction;   switch means for switching said tape transport means to transport said tape in said reverse direction at low speed; and   playback means coupled to said record/playback head for playing back said reverse message information as said tape is transported in said reverse direction.   
     
     
       4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 including second switch means having a first pair of normally open contacts intercoupling said oscillator means and said transducer means and further having a second pair of normally closed contacts intercoupling said transducer means and said record/playback head, said second switch means being selectably enabled to close said normally open contacts and open said normally closed contacts to couple said oscillator signal to said transducer means to switch said remote tape recorder into said high speed rewind mode, said reverse message information being subsequently coupled to said record/playback head through said normally closed contacts when said second switch means is disabled. 
     
     
       5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 including record amplifier means intercoupling said normally closed contacts and said record/playback head for amplifying said reverse message information prior to recording on said tape and wherein said playback means includes playback amplifier means coupled to said record/playback head for amplifying said message information during playback, said playback amplifier means including playback transducer means for converting said message information into audio signals. 
     
     
       6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said switch means comprises a first pair of normally closed contacts intercoupling said record amplifier means and said record/playback head and a second pair of normally open contacts intercoupling said record/playback head and said playback amplifier means, said switch means being selectably enabled to close said normally open contacts and open said normally closed contacts to couple said message information to said playback amplifier means for playback, said reverse being coupled to said record/playback head through said normally closed contacts when said switch means and said second switch means are disabled. 
     
     
       7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 including visual indicator means coupled to said tape transport means for providing a visual indication of the amount of said message information transcribed and a positive indication of the position of said tape with respect to said record/playback head.